Scientific ClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Aspidochirotida
Family: Holothuriidae
Genus: Australostichopus
Species: A. mollis
Physical Description-Adult size ranges from 13 to 25 cm
-Soft in texture, and light mottled brown to black in color
-A tube foot is present on its underside, or throughout the entirl body
-Tentacles surround the slit-like mouth
Distribution/Habitat-Found from Cook Strait to Stewart Islands ( New Zealand)
-From New South Wales to South Western Australia (Australia)
-Inhabit the low-tide level on sand, and in mud of protected areas
-May live on the shallow waters of the coast, and up to 200 m of depth in ocean water
Feeding-Mainly capture organic matter from the substrata (area beneath the surface of the ground) Life Cycle-Reproduce through sexual reproduction, however some hermaphrodites have been observed. Population to sex ratio is 1:1
-Reproductive season occurs from October to February. Periodic release of eggs may occur by following the lunar cycle
-Offspring inhabit the subtidal zone after birth (5-8 m in depth). Here, they can obtain nourishment and protection from predators.
-Has the ability to regenerate its internal organs through auto-evisceration, which is brought about by environmental stimuli. First there is a violent removal of organs from the body, followed by regeneration, which is relatively slow in this species.
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Aspidochirotida
Family: Holothuriidae
Genus: Australostichopus
Species: A. mollis
-Soft in texture, and light mottled brown to black in color
-A tube foot is present on its underside, or throughout the entirl body
-Tentacles surround the slit-like mouth
Distribution/Habitat
-From New South Wales to South Western Australia (Australia)
-Inhabit the low-tide level on sand, and in mud of protected areas
-May live on the shallow waters of the coast, and up to 200 m of depth in ocean water
Feeding -Mainly capture organic matter from the substrata (area beneath the surface of the ground)
Life Cycle -Reproduce through sexual reproduction, however some hermaphrodites have been observed. Population to sex ratio is 1:1
-Reproductive season occurs from October to February. Periodic release of eggs may occur by following the lunar cycle
-Offspring inhabit the subtidal zone after birth (5-8 m in depth). Here, they can obtain nourishment and protection from predators.
-Has the ability to regenerate its internal organs through auto-evisceration, which is brought about by environmental stimuli. First there is a violent removal of organs from the body, followed by regeneration, which is relatively slow in this species.
Ecological Role -Has encouraged interest for its potential in fishery (an area in which fish are reared for commercial purposes) in the Southern Hemisphere
-Has the ability to reduce waste produced by aquaculture (rearing of aquatic animals for food)
-Because so little information is known about its biology, it is difficult to form a stable fishery industry
Sources
http://www.scribd.com/doc/14747628/HABITAT-PREFERENCES-OF-THE-HOLOTHUROIDEAN-AUSTRALOSTICHOPUS-STICHOPUS-MOLLIS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australostichopus_mollis
http://www.eol.org/pages/3067724?text_id=8062024
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/res/pk/f018916t.jpg
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/decay/f017315t.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/v/aCxKFc3XtJs